Making the Grade: SLC DII

Coming up over the next few weeks we are going to review the schedules of each MCLA conference and assign a grade to each team. Grades are determined by the opinions of current and former MCLA coaches, players and officials which are based on strength of opponents, travel schedule, perceived risks and home vs. away factors.

The following teams are ranked in order of how they are expected to finish in the conference. Grades and projected results are based on the average score of the participating LaxAllStars judges.

Note: * indicates conference matchup, + indicates scrimmage

NORTH

Pepperdine University : 2013 (6 – 4)/(5 – 1)

B- | We feel that the Waves got robbed of 2013 playoffs with the Cal Lutheran forfeit which would have been an easy win and a 6-0 finish in the SLC. Redemption time is needed from the unfortunate end to last year. Tough last 3 games at home could hurt them going in to playoffs.

Occidental College : 2013 (8 – 4)/(5 – 1)

B | Occidental could use some more D1 games. Most conference games are after the halfway point and this could prove troublesome without the right momentum. Longer schedule than Pepperdine is a huge factor, although they stay in California all season.

Northern Arizona University : 2013 (6 – 4)/(4 – 2)

B+ | A tough road stretch waits at the end of season containing all but one divisional game. They take on decent competition outside of their division and conference. We predict a solid third place finish in the conference, but don’t be surprised if they finish better.

Biola University : 2013 (4 – 13)/(3 – 3)

B- | Biola has a tough schedule all around. A longer schedule might prove troublesome again this year. The high level competition from previous years might have helped prepare for this year. This could be our possible SLC sleeper in 2014.

California State University-Channel Islands : 2013 (3 – 8)/(2 – 4)

C+ | Channel Islands have a tough conference schedule beginning and ending with Pepperdine and Occidental respectively. The rest of the schedule has pretty good match-ups. The road stretch going into the end of the season might shake things up.

CSU – San Marcos : 2013 (7 – 5)/(2 – 3)

B- | San Marocs is rocking a tough schedule all around. A 3threegame road stretch at the start and end of season will prove difficult to build momentum. Schedule slightly longer than last year also a positive, but trying factor.

University of California-Irvine : 2013 (2 – 7)/(0 – 5)

C- | The Eaters’ schedule seems too short as of now. SLC D2 teams are their only competition so far. They could use at least one D1 or out of conference game to spice things up. Way too safe, even for a school coming off a losing season.